Ventura County deputy shoots pit bull to stop attack

A Google Maps image indicates the area near Larkspur Drive and Spring Street in Ventura County where a sheriff's deputy shot and wounded a pit bull after he was attacked Tuesday, July 2, 2013. (Google Maps)

July 4, 2013 12:00:00 AM PDT

VENTURA, Calif. --

A deputy shot and wounded a pit bull in unincorporated Ventura Tuesday morning after he tried to contact a probationer, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

The deputy saw a woman on the street and recognized her as a local probationer. He tried to contact her, but she fled into a nearby house near Larkspur Drive and Spring Street. As she went inside, the pit bull ran out of the house and attacked the deputy, the sheriff's department said.

The deputy tried to stop the attack with his baton, but the dog would not stop, according to authorities. The deputy then shot the dog, fearing he would be bitten.

The dog is expected to survive. The pit bull was taken for treatment by Ventura County Animal Services, which will keep the dog until its owner is identified.